Journey Ja-rel Newson (born March 7, 1989) is an American

mixed martial artist Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, incorp ...

who competes in the

Bantamweight Bantamweight is a weight class in combat sports. For boxing, the range is above and up to . In kickboxing, a bantamweight fighter generally weighs between . In mixed martial arts, MMA, bantamweight is . The name for the class is derived from Ba ...

division of the

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

Background

Newson grew up in the

Merced Merced (; Spanish for "Mercy") is a city in, and the county seat of, Merced County, California, United States, in the San Joaquin Valley. As of the 2020 Census, the city had a population of 86,333, up from 78,958 in 2010. Incorporated on April 1 ...

area. Due to his mother's drug addiction and despite father's attempts to keep the family together, Journey and his siblings were taken into foster care when he was around the age of seven. He started training

Tae Kwon Do ''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean martial arts, Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast k ...

around the age of 12. He began training

Brazilian jiu-jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

for self-defense around the age of 20 and shifted to mixed martial arts in a couple of years.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Newson started out his career in 2015, fighting for a variety of regional West Coast organizations, such as Cage Sport and

King of the Cage King of the Cage (KOTC) is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in Southern California, United States. History KOTC was founded in 1998 by Terry Trebilcock. KOTC features mostly amateur as well as up and coming MMA stars and former mainstr ...

. During this time, he compiled a 9–1 record, capturing the Cage Sport and Prime Fighting Bantamweight titles.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Newson made his UFC debut as a late replacement for

Sergio Pettis Sergio Jerome Pettis (born August 18, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed with Bellator MMA, where he is the current Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Prior to signing with Bellator, Pettis competed in the Ultimate Fig ...

against Ricardo Ramos on June 29, 2019 at

UFC on ESPN 3 ''UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN 3'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that was held on June 29, 2019, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Background Th ...

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Newson next faced Domingo Pilarte at

UFC 247 ''UFC 247: Jones vs. Reyes'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on February 8, 2020 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, United States. Background A UFC Light Heavyweight Championship ...

on February 8, 2020. He won the fight by TKO within the first minute of the fight. However, on March 25, it was announced by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) that Newson had tested positive for

marijuana Cannabis, also known as marijuana among other names, is a psychoactive drug from the cannabis plant. Native to Central or South Asia, the cannabis plant has been used as a drug for both recreational and entheogenic purposes and in various tra ...

during in-competition drug tests. His victory was overturned to a no contest and he was suspended for 30 days. Newson was initially scheduled to face

Randy Costa Randy Costa (born July 6, 1994) is an American professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2018, he most notably fought in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Background Costa began ...

on September 26, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley. However, the event was shifted to take place on September 19, 2020, as

UFC 253 ''UFC 253: Adesanya vs. Costa'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on September 27, 2020 at the du Forum on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Background The event was orig ...

was later scheduled for the original date. He lost the fight via knockout in round one. Newson was scheduled to face

Felipe Colares Luis Felipe Dias Colares (born 31 March 1994) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist in the Bantamweight division. A professional since 2013, he most notably competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Background Growing up in Macapa, ...

on May 1, 2021 at

UFC on ESPN 23 The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

. However, Newson withdrew from the bout and was replaced by

Luke Sanders Luke Daniel Sanders (born December 12, 1985) is a retired American mixed martial artist who competed in the Bantamweight division. A professional competitor since 2011, he also competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Strikeforce a ...

. Newson faced promotional newcomer Fernie Garcia on May 7, 2022 at

UFC 274 ''UFC 274: Oliveira vs. Gaethje'' was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on May 7, 2022, at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. Background The event was originally linke ...

. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Newson faced Sergey Morozov on December 17, 2022 at

UFC Fight Night 216 ''UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland'' (also known as ''UFC Fight Night 216, UFC on ESPN+ 74'' and ''UFC Vegas 66'') was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on December 17, 2022, at the ...

. He lost the fight via unanimous decision. Newson is scheduled to face

Brian Kelleher Brian Matthew Kelleher (born August 19, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist. Kelleher currently competes in the Bantamweight division for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2011, Kelleher ...

on April 29, 2023 at

UFC Fight Night 223 ''UFC Fight Night 223'' (also known as ''UFC on ESPN+ 81'') is an upcoming mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will take place on April 29, 2023, at TBD venue and location. Background A lightweight bou ...

Championships and accomplishments

*CageSport MMA **CageSport Bantamweight Championship (one time) *Prime Fighting MMA **Prime Fighting Bantamweight Championship (one time)

Mixed martial arts record

, - , Loss , align=center, 10–4 (1) , Sergey Morozov , Decision (unanimous) , UFC Fight Night: Cannonier vs. Strickland , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...

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, , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix ( ; nv, Hoozdo; es, Fénix or , yuf-x-wal, Banyà:nyuwá) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Arizona#List of cities and towns, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arizona, with 1 ...

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, KO (head kick) , UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:41 ,

, United States , , - , NC , align=center, 9–2 (1) , Domingo Pilarte , NC (overturned) ,

, , align=center, 1 , align=center, 0:38 ,

Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 9–2 , Ricardo Ramos , Decision (unanimous) , UFC on ESPN: Ngannou vs. dos Santos , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 9–1 , Soslan Abanokov , KO (punch) , Final Fight Championship 36 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 1:20 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 8–1 , Chris SanJose , TKO (punches) , Prime Fighting 11 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 4:41 ,

Ridgefield, Washington Ridgefield is a city in northern Clark County, Washington. The population was 10,319 at the time of the 2020 census, up from 4,763 in 2010, making it the fastest growing city in the state of Washington. Located within the Portland metropolitan ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 7–1 , Tycen Lynn , Decision (unanimous) , Combat Games 60 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Tulalip, Washington The Tulalip Tribes of Washington (, lut, dxʷlilap), formerly known as the Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation, is a federally recognized tribe of Duwamish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skagit, Suiattle, Samish, and Stillaguamish people. Th ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 6–1 , Anthony Zender , TKO , CageSport 46 , , align=center, 2 , align=center, 0:24 ,

Tacoma, Washington Tacoma ( ) is the county seat of Pierce County, Washington, United States. A port city, it is situated along Washington's Puget Sound, southwest of Seattle, northeast of the state capital, Olympia, Washington, Olympia, and northwest of Mount ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 5–1 , Jordan Mackin , Submission (rear-naked choke) , CageSport 44 , , align=Center, 3 , align=center, 4:55 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 4–1 , Anthony Zender , Submission (guillotine choke) , CageSport 43 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 1:27 ,

, United States , , - , Loss , align=center, 3–1 ,

Benito Lopez Benito Francisco Lopez (born 6 April 1994) is an American mixed martial artist. He most competed in the Bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Combat career Mixed martial arts career Early career In April 201 ...

, KO (punches) , KOTC: Unchallenged , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 3:04 ,

Oroville, California Oroville (''Oro'', Spanish for "Gold" and ''Ville'', French for "town") is the county seat of Butte County, California, United States. The population of the city was 15,506 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census, up from 13,004 in the 200 ...

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 3–0 , Shane Friesz , Decision (unanimous) , Super Fight League 49 , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 2–0 , Justin Hugo , Submission (triangle choke) , Super Fight League 45 , , align=center, 1 , align=center, 2:17 ,

, United States , , - , Win , align=center, 1–0 , Damon Wood , Decision (unanimous) , KOTC: Rogue Wave , , align=center, 3 , align=center, 5:00 ,

Lincoln City, Oregon Lincoln City is a city in Lincoln County on the Oregon Coast of the United States, between Tillamook and Newport. It is named after the county, which was named in honor of former U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. The population was 9,815 at the 202 ...

, United States ,

Professional boxing record

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Newson, Journey Living people 1989 births Bantamweight mixed martial artists Mixed martial artists utilizing taekwondo Mixed martial artists utilizing boxing Mixed martial artists utilizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu American male mixed martial artists Ultimate Fighting Championship male fighters American male taekwondo practitioners American male boxers American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu People awarded a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu